Jun 30, 2010

GHTA Offers Opportunity to Volunteer during Annual Conference

Grand Rapids, Mich. — The Gift and Home Trade Association (GHTA), the industry’s leading non-profit trade association, continues to expand its conference offerings, providing attendees with a variety of unique and exciting opportunities on Thursday, November 18, a day that, historically, was not a part of the traditional conference schedule.

“Each year we strive to improve and expand our conference programming, and this year is no exception,” says Diane Carnevale Jones, executive director of the GHTA. “We have been working diligently with the New Orleans community to identify special activities that will interest our attendees on a personal and professional level. We trust these activities will be both educational and inspiring.”

VOLUNTEER New Orleans!
Conference attendees will have the opportunity to experience the enormity of Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath, by visiting St. Bernard Parish, one of the worst-hit parishes during Hurricane Katrina. They will also have the opportunity to respond to the devastation by volunteering with the St. Bernard Project, a New Orleans-based initiative that works to rebuild homes and families within Greater New Orleans. Individuals will be able to build homes, landscape, garden and more, depending on their ability and level of experience. The GHTA has reserved 20 spots for this work day. Attendees should request reservation information by emailing info@giftandhome.org. And that’s not all! The GHTA has been working with the St. Bernard Project on a special surprise to present to our attendees.

GOLF New Orleans!
Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in the GHTA’s traditional golf outing benefitting Gift for Life, a partnership between the gift, home, and stationery industries to raise funds in support of AIDS research and education. New Orleans boasts a wide array of pristine golf courses, and attendees are sure to be challenged. As always, golfers will be able to engage in some friendly competition, as well as to dine a la Cajun cuisine.

SHOP TOUR New Orleans!
The GHTA is also offering an opportunity for guests to visit and to shop Magazine Street, a charming and historic area of New Orleans. During a guided tour of the area, attendees will hear about Katrina’s devastation while talking to local retailers. They will also gain valuable retail insight learning about the hard work done to survive and rebuild in the storm’s aftermath. Lunch will follow this educational and eye-opening experience.

“Historic and energy-filled New Orleans provides conference attendees with an excellent setting to conduct business, and to have fun,” said Beth Lang, president of the GHTA. “We look forward to November and to the many activities and educational opportunities that await us.”

To register or learn more about each of these activities, conference attendees should email info@giftandhome.org. The 2010 GHTA Conference, which will be held at the Ritz Carlton, New Orleans, November 18-20, invites sales representatives, manufacturers, and other industry resource suppliers to network and share best business practices, while learning from national keynote speakers and various breakout sessions. Conference agenda highlights are available online at http://www.giftandhome.org/cms/Home/2010_Conference/Agenda_Highlights.php. .

For more information on the 8th Annual GHTA Conference, Jazz Up Your Business in the Big Easy, please visit the GHTA website at www.giftandhome.org/cms/Home/2010_Conference.php, or contact the GHTA office via phone at (877) 600-4872 or via email at info@giftandhome.org. For more information on the St. Bernard Project, please visit http://stbernardproject.blogspot.com/.

About the GIFT AND HOME Trade Association:
GHTA is the gift and home industry’s non-profit professional trade association formed to help vendors, sales agencies and industry affiliates work together to improve relationships. GHTA’s mission is to lead and transform the gift and home industry to ensure its long-term health and viability. GHTA has four major initiatives: to educate sales professionals; to understand and educate the industry on opportunities for technological efficiencies; to support and cultivate the industry’s independent retailers; and to understand and educate the industry on showroom/trade show costs, statistics, schedules, opportunities and preferences. GHTA can be reached by email at info@giftandhome.org. For more information on the GIFT AND HOME Trade Association visit www.giftandhome.org.